Methods and apparatus for charging a battery in a peripheral device

ABSTRACT

A power manager for managing power delivered to a battery operated peripheral device is disclosed. The power manager includes an input current limiter arranged to suppress a power surge associated with an insertion event by a power cable arranged to provide an external voltage. A voltage converter unit coupled to the input current limiter converts the received external voltage to a supply voltage that is transmitted by way of a main bus to a voltage sensor unit coupled thereto. During the insertion event, a comparator unit coupled to the voltage sensor, sends a first switching signal to a switchover circuit that responds by connecting the peripheral device and an uncharged battery to the main bus such that the supply voltage is provided thereto. When the battery is substantially fully charged, the switchover circuit responds by electrically disconnecting the battery so as to not overcharge the battery.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/278,752 (Attorney Docket APL1P224), entitled, “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CHARGING A BATTERY IN A PERIPHERAL DEVICE,” filed Oct. 22, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference, and which, in turn, claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e).to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/345,253, entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CHARGING A BATTERY IN A PERIPHERAL DEVICE VIA A FIREWIRE CABLE,” filed on Oct. 22, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to computing systems. Specifically, a method and apparatus for managing power delivered by way of a FireWire cable to a battery operated peripheral device.

2. Description of Related Art

FireWire is an IEEE1394 compliant High Performance Serial Bus that provides two types of data transfer: asynchronous and isochronous. Asynchronous is for traditional load-and-store applications where data transfer can be initiated and an application interrupted as a given length of data arrives in a buffer. Isochronous data transfer ensures that data flows at a pre-set rate so that an application can handle it in a timed way while providing the bandwidth needed for audio, imaging, video, and other streaming data. Isochronous service means it guarantees latency or the length of time between a requested action and when the resulting action occurs which is a critical feature in supporting real time video, for example. FireWire provides a high-speed serial bus with data transfer rates of 100, 200, or 400 Mbps as well as a single plug-and-socket connection on which up to 63 devices can be attached with data transfer speeds up to 400 Mbps (megabits per second). In this way, FireWire offers a standard, simple connection to all types of consumer electronics, including digital audio devices, digital VCRs and digital video cameras; as well as to traditional computer peripherals such as optical drives and hard disk drives.

The standard FireWire cable consists of six wires in which data is sent via two separately-shielded twisted pair transmission lines that are crossed in each cable assembly to create a transmit-receive connection. Two more wires carry power (8 to 28 v, 1.5 A max.) to remote devices. In some cases, such as with DV camcorders manufactured by the Sony Corporation of Japan, a 4 conductor FireWire cable is used (configured as the 6 wire cable but without the power wires) that terminate in smaller, 4 prong connectors. To connect a four prong device, such as the Sony DV camcorder with a standard IEE1394 FireWire device or interface card, an adapter cable is required having 4 prongs on one side and 6 on the other. In this way, the data lines are connected while omitting the power connection.

In those situations, however, when a battery operated six prong peripheral device is coupled to a FireWire cable, it is important for the power delivered to the device (typically 1.8 v, 3.3, or 5.0 v) to be both stable and reliable especially when the FireWire cable is either connected or disconnected.

Therefore, what is required is a method and apparatus for managing power delivered by way of a FireWire cable to a battery operated peripheral device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for providing a cascadable state machine for broadcast content is disclosed.

In one embodiment, a power manager for managing power delivered to a battery operated peripheral device is disclosed. The power manager includes an input current limiter arranged to suppress a power surge associated with an insertion event by a power cable arranged to provide an external voltage. A voltage converter unit coupled to the input current limiter converts the received external voltage to a supply voltage that is transmitted by way of a main bus to a voltage sensor unit coupled thereto. During the insertion event, a comparator unit coupled to the voltage sensor, sends a first switching signal to a switchover circuit that responds by connecting the peripheral device and an uncharged battery to the main bus such that the supply voltage is provided thereto. When the battery is substantially fully charged, the switchover circuit responds by electrically disconnecting the battery so as to not overcharge the battery. During a cable removal event, the comparator unit sends a second signal to the switchover circuit which responds by substantially simultaneously disconnecting the main bus from the peripheral device and connecting the battery to the peripheral device.

In another embodiment, a method for managing power delivered to a battery operated peripheral device is disclosed. Suppressing a power surge associated with an insertion event by a power cable arranged to provide an external voltage. Converting the received external voltage to a supply voltage and sending the converted voltage by way of a main bus to a voltage sensor unit coupled thereto. During the insertion event, sending a first switching signal to a switchover circuit that responds by connecting the peripheral device and an uncharged battery to the main bus. Wherein when the battery is substantially fully charged, the switchover circuit responds by electrically isolating the battery from the powered cable. During a cable removal event, sending a second signal to the switchover circuit which responds by substantially simultaneously disconnecting the main bus from the peripheral device and connecting the battery to the peripheral device.

In still another embodiment, an apparatus for managing power to a battery-operated peripheral device is described. The apparatus includes means for receiving an external voltage from an external voltage supply by way of a cable, wherein the cable includes a number of lines some of which are data lines arranged to form a transmit-receive connection and some of which are power lines arranged to carry the external voltage from the external power supply to the device means for converting a received external voltage to a supply voltage, means for sensing a voltage, means for generating a switching signal based upon the sensed voltage, means for receiving the switching signal by a switchover circuit, and means for connecting the peripheral device and an uncharged battery to the supply voltage in response to the received switching signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A shows a power manager unit with a fully discharged battery coupled to an active FireWire cable in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B shows the power manager unit of FIG. 1A where the battery is fully charged in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1C shows the power manager unit of FIG. 1B where the FireWire cable of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover state where the battery is fully charged.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover state where the battery is full and the FireWire is unplugged in two separate scenarios.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover state where the battery is low and the FireWire is plugged.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover state where the battery is low and the FireWire is unplugged.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover state where the battery is empty and the FireWire is plugged.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover state where the battery is empty and the FireWire is unplugged.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention. An example of the preferred embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

In a battery powered FireWire compatible device, a method and apparatus for supplying power to the device that can be used to either operate the device of charge the device's battery are described. In one embodiment, various power signals on a FireWire data bus coupled to the device, provide for operating the device and/or charging the device's internal battery over a prescribed range of supply voltages. In a particular embodiment, the apparatus includes a built in surge suppression unit as well as a FireWire power/battery switchover unit to ensure that a stable and reliable power supply is provided the device. In this way, additional power connectors are substantially eliminated thereby saving product cost and reducing product size.

The invention will now be described in terms a FireWire peripheral power management unit suitable for supplying power to any FireWire compatible device. Such devices include, for example, personal digital assistants, personal MP3 player/recorders, and the like.

Accordingly, FIG. 1A shows a power manager unit 100 with a fully discharged battery coupled to an active FireWire cable in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The power manager unit 100 includes an input current limiter 102 for suppressing a power surge caused by a FireWire cable insertion event related to voltage transients (i.e., ground bounce) associated with an insertion of a powered FireWire cable 104 to an input port 106. It should be noted, that this phenomenon is only applicable to those peripheral devices capable of receiving a FireWire cable having a power wire included therein (such as a six prong type FireWire cable). The input current limiter 102 is, in turn, coupled to a voltage converter unit 108 having an output 108′ arranged to convert a received external voltage V_(ext) (in the form of a FireWire voltage V_(FW) having a range of between 8 volts and 28 volts provided by the FireWire cable 104) to a supply voltage V_(cc) provided to a main bus 110. Typically, the supply voltage V_(cc) can be approximately 1.8 volts, approximately 3.3 volts, or approximately 5.0 volts each of which is suitable for driving an active circuit 112 included in a battery operated peripheral device 113.

In the described embodiment, the voltage converter unit 108 is coupled to a voltage sensor 114 arranged to provide a voltage signal V_(sig) to a comparator unit 116. The comparator unit 116, based upon the voltage signal V_(sig), provides a switchover signal V_(switch) to a switchover circuit 118. In those cases where the voltage signal V_(sig) is above a voltage threshold V_(th) (indicative of a FireWire insertion event having had occurred at the input port 106), the comparator unit 116 provides a first switchover signal V_(switch1) to the switchover circuit 118. The switchover circuit 118, in turn, responds to the first switchover signal V_(switch1) by connecting the main bus 110 to the active circuit 112 ( and thereby the supply voltage V_(cc)) and to a battery 120 when the battery 120 is substantially uncharged so as to provide a charging current to the battery 120. As shown in FIG. 1B, in those cases where the battery 120 is substantially fully charged, the comparator circuit 116 sends a second switchover signal V_(switch2) that causes the switchover circuit 118 to disconnect the battery 120 from the main bus 110 so as to avoid overcharging the battery 120.

In those situations shown in FIG. 1C where the powered FireWire cable 104 has been disconnected from the port 106, the voltage signal V_(sig) is below the voltage threshold V_(th) to which the comparator circuit 116 responds by providing a third switchover signal V_(switch3) to the switchover circuit 118. The switchover circuit 118 responds to the third switchover signal V_(switch3) by disconnecting the main bus 110 from the active circuit 112 and connecting the battery 120 in such a manner as to provide a substantially uninterrupted supply voltage V_(cc) to the active circuit 112.

Referring to FIG. 2, the switchover circuit 118 includes a comparator 202 that helps to ensure a smooth transition from battery to FireWire power and vice versa. The switch over circuit 118 ensures that the voltage on the main supply bus 110 (VCC_MAIN) doesn't drop below a pre-determined minimum voltage V_(min) (at which point a reset signal is typically provided). Accordingly, the FireWire voltage converter 108 switches in/out when the voltage on the main bus 110 (V_(CC) _(—) _(MAIN)) has risen/dropped above/below V_(min).

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover state where the battery is full and the FireWire is plugged in. After the FireWire cable 104 is plugged into the port 106, the output of the FireWire voltage converter 108 reaches its destination voltage within 15 ms. When the output of the FireWire voltage converter 108 reaches the switch over threshold V_(switch), the comparator 202 disconnects battery power from the main supply bus 110. For a short period of time, neither the battery 120 nor the FireWire voltage converter 108 supply power to VCC_MAIN 110 and the voltage on VCC_MAIN 110 will drop until either of the voltage sensor 114 starts conducting such that the voltage cannot drop below the voltage V_(MIN). Eventually the voltage sensor 114 starts conducting, pulling the voltage on bus 110 up to a pre-set voltage drop V_(f) below the destination output voltage of the FireWire voltage converter 108.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover state where the battery is full and the FireWire is unplugged in two separate scenarios. Initially, the voltage V_(VCC) _(—) _(MAIN) is V_(f) below the voltage of the FireWire voltage converter 108. Due to the system load, the output voltage of the FireWire voltage converter 108 is going to drop rapidly as the voltage sensor 114 discharges into the main supply bus 110. When FireWire 106 is unplugged the voltage at the output of the FireWire voltage converter 108 is going to drop rapidly until the voltage sensor 114 starts conducting. At this point the voltage at the output of the FireWire voltage converter 108 may or may not have not dropped below the switch over threshold Vswitch. There will be two possible scenarios:

In one scenario shown in FIG. 4, the comparator threshold has been crossed in which case, the battery 120 has to make up for the voltage V_(f). In a second scenario shown in FIG. 5, the comparator threshold has not been crossed.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover state where the battery is low and the FireWire is plugged. In the described embodiment, the battery is considered empty when it's voltage drops below 3.45V. For the purpose of this discussion only therefore, the battery voltage is considered to be at 3.3V. If the battery voltage drops below 3.45V the system is turned off and less than 2 mA are drawn from the battery. Therefore the voltage the main bus 110 is approximately equal to the battery voltage V_(BAT)=3.3V. After the FireWire connector 104 is plugged into the port 106, output 108′ increases. If output 108′ increases above V_(VCC) _(—) _(MAIN) of 3.3V, the voltage sensor 114 starts conducting. The battery will be back fed from then on, until output 108′ reaches the switch over threshold.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover state where the battery is low and the FireWire is unplugged. Initially, the voltage V_(VCC) _(—) _(MAIN) on the main bus 110 is Vf below the voltage of the FireWire voltage converter 108 resulting in the output 108′ dropping off rapidly. When output 108′ drops below the switch over threshold V_(switch), voltage converter 108 is going to back feed into the battery until output 108′ drops below a level where voltage sensor 114 loses conduction. If the latter occurs, output 108′ is going to be discharged much slower as it is disconnected from the rest of the system. It has to be noted that this particular scenario is very rare as the battery voltage recovers within short periods of time to a level that is above the 3.45V system shut down threshold.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover state where the battery is empty and the FireWire is plugged. When the battery is empty, V_(VCC) _(—) _(MAIN) is initially approximately ground level and the battery charger circuit is disabled. If output 108′ charges up, V_(VCC) _(—) _(MAIN) is approximately one diode forward voltage drop below output 108′. (It should be noted that a reset circuit keeps the system 100 in constant reset below voltages of 3.135V) thereby enabling a battery charger circuit. If battery charger circuit supply voltage has exceeded the lockout voltage of 4.1V, battery back feeding is prevented because the battery 120 is disconnected from the system 100. The battery charger is activated when it's supply voltage exceeds the under voltage lock out threshold of 4.1V. To enable the battery charger, the voltage at the output of the FireWire voltage converter 108 must be one forward diode drop above the lock out voltage of the battery charger. Therefore, output 108′ has to rise above approximately 4.6V to activate the charger.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover state where the battery is empty and the FireWire is unplugged. When the battery is empty and FireWire 104 is unplugged, the system 100 will run until V_(CC) _(—) _(MAIN) drops rapidly below reset threshold voltage V_(reset,TH). In reset, the battery disconnect circuitry disconnects the battery from the system 100 when the battery voltage drops below 3.1V to avoid deep discharge of the battery using a low voltage disconnect circuitry.

Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

While this invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents that fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing both the process and apparatus of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. 

1. A power manager unit for managing power delivered to a battery powered device, comprising: a voltage converter unit arranged to convert an external voltage to a supply voltage; a voltage sensor unit coupled to the voltage converter unit for sensing a voltage associated with a charged state of the battery; a comparator unit coupled to the voltage sensor unit arranged to generate a switching signal based upon the sensed voltage, wherein a first switching signal corresponds to a not fully charged battery and wherein a second switching signal corresponds to a fully charged battery; and a switchover circuit coupled to the comparator unit that responds to the second switching signal by electrically disconnecting the battery so as to not overcharge the battery, and wherein the switchover circuit responds to the first switching signal by connecting the battery powered device and a not fully charged battery to the voltage converter unit such that the supply voltage is provided thereto.
 2. A power manager as recited in claim 1, wherein the external voltage is delivered by way of a cable that includes a number of lines at least one of which is a power line arranged to carry the external voltage from the external voltage supply to the battery powered device.
 3. A power management unit as recited in claim 2, further comprising: an input current limiter arranged to suppress a power surge resulting from a power line insertion event when the power line is carrying the external voltage.
 4. A power management unit as recited in claim 2, wherein during a power line removal event, the comparator unit sends a third signal to the switchover circuit that responds by concurrently disconnecting a main bus from the power line and connecting the battery to the battery powered device, thereby providing a substantially uninterrupted supply voltage to the battery powered device.
 5. A power management unit as recited in claim 2, wherein the cable is a I.E.E.E. 1394 compliant cable.
 6. A method of managing power delivered to a battery powered device, comprising: converting an external voltage to a supply voltage; sensing a voltage associated with a charged state of the battery; generating a switching signal based upon the sensed voltage, wherein a first switching signal corresponds to a not fully charged battery and wherein a second switching signal corresponds to a fully charged battery; disconnecting the battery so as to not overcharge the battery in response to the second switching signal; and connecting the battery powered device and the not fully charged battery to the voltage converter unit such that the supply voltage is provided thereto in response to the first switching signal.
 7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein the external voltage is delivered by way of a cable that includes a number of lines at least one of which is a power line arranged to carry the external voltage from the external voltage supply to the battery powered device.
 8. A method as recited in claim 7, further comprising: suppressing a power surge associated with a power line insertion event.
 9. A method for managing power as recited in claim 8, further comprising: generating a third signal in response to a power line removal event; and disconnecting a main bus from the battery powered device and connecting the battery to the battery powered device in response to the third signal.
 10. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the cable is a I.E.E.E. 1394 compliant cable.
 11. A computer program product for managing power delivered to a battery powered device, comprising: computer code for converting an external voltage to a supply voltage; computer code for sensing a voltage associated with a charged state of the battery; computer code for generating a switching signal based upon the sensed voltage, wherein a first switching signal corresponds to a not fully charged battery and wherein a second switching signal corresponds to a fully charged battery; computer code for disconnecting the battery so as to not overcharge the battery in response to the second switching signal; computer code for connecting the battery powered device and the not fully charged battery to the voltage converter unit such that the supply voltage is provided thereto in response to the first switching signal; and computer readable medium for storing the computer code.
 12. A computer program product as recited in claim 11, wherein the external voltage is delivered by way of a cable that includes a number of lines at least one of which is a power line arranged to carry the external voltage from the external voltage supply to the battery powered device.
 13. A computer program product as recited in claim 12, further comprising: computer code for suppressing a power surge associated with a power line insertion event.
 14. A computer program product for managing power as recited in claim 12, further comprising: computer code for generating a third signal in response to a power line removal event; and computer code for disconnecting a main bus from the battery powered device and connecting the battery to the battery powered device in response to the third signal.
 15. A computer program product as recited in claim 11, wherein the cable is a I.E.E.E. 1394 compliant cable.
 16. A power manager for managing power delivered to a battery powered device, comprising: a voltage converter unit arranged to convert an external voltage to a supply voltage; a voltage sensor unit coupled to the voltage converter unit for sensing a voltage associated with a charged state of the battery; means for generating a switching signal based upon the sensed voltage, wherein a first switching signal corresponds to a not fully charged battery and wherein a second switching signal corresponds to a fully charged battery; means for disconnecting the battery so as to not overcharge the battery in response to the second switching signal; and means for connecting the battery powered device and the not fully charged battery to the voltage converter unit such that the supply voltage is provided thereto in response to the first switching signal.
 17. A power manager as recited in claim 16, wherein the battery powered device is a portable media player. 